The philosophical system of open and distant learning: Is technology the custodian of distant learning or educational philosophy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the philosophical principles of open and distant learning. This descriptive study was done by assessing digital and library resources on the principles of distant learning. In order to understand the philosophical and educational principles of open and distant learning and to determine the epistemological, ontological, and axiological functions of its four main elements (distant learner, distant educational organization, distant educational content, and distant educational inviron ment), collected data were analyzed using analytical and interpretational methods. The results showed that pragmatism and constructivism have specific functions in the four mentioned elements of distant learning with respect to epistemological, ontological, and axiological aspects.